Cyprus is optimistic that by acting collectively and by fostering cooperative approaches to address common challenges, the challenges of the effects of climate crisis can be addressed, pledged on Wednesday Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Costas Kadis.
Addressing the “Nicosia Risk Forum (#NRF2022)”, wrapping up in Larnaca on Wednesday, Kadis said climate change is cited as the defining issue of our time, as the impacts of climate change are beyond dispute on the rise, and in recent years we have been witnessing extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, droughts, floods and strong winds.
Moreover, all these factors, combined with land use changes, enhance the severity, intensity and extent of forest fires, the Minister said. The Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East region is according to many studies, highly vulnerable to the impact of climate change and is classified as one of the global “hotspots”, he remarked.
The governments of the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean & Middle East (EMME) expressed their serious concerns about the impact of climate change in the region, and their willingness to comply with the Paris Agreement, said Kadis. Utilising Cyprus’s location and excellent relations with neighbouring countries, President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades launched an international initiative in 2019, undertaking a coordinating role in the efforts of the EMME region to ameliorate climate change and its impacts, he added.
In Cyprus, the Minister said, a number of multi-sectoral preventive measures that were planned, following a strong collaboration between the government, the local authorities, the scientists, and the public have been implemented. Regarding fire protection measures, he said these are fully operational and continuously enhanced.
He also noted that the Cyprus Civil Defence plays an active role with disaster management both at national and regional level. In January 2024 the Civil Defence will start the implementation of the early warning system, in pilot phase for one month and in full operational phase from February 2024.
Concluding, Kadis said Cyprus is optimistic that by acting collectively and by fostering cooperative approaches to address common challenges, “we can address the challenges of the effects of climate crisis. Our vision is for our region to look to the future, with optimism and use the climate challenge as an opportunity to proudly show the world what our countries can achieve when they work together.”
Speaking at the forum, the Cyprus Fire Service Chief Fire Officer Polyvios Hadjivasileiou said climate change is a special issue that needs increased attention and protection and for this reason the role of Civil Protection is particularly important so that it can define a unified strategy.
He said the Cyprus Fire Service investigates different types of hazards and disasters and examines interrelated risk issues.
The first goal, he said, is to improve the level of fire protection & Promotion and Cultivation of Fire Awareness while the second is the creation of a Unified Coordination Center for Fire Service Operations. At this point, he remarked that due to a dramatic increase in the construction of high-rise buildings in Cyprus, the CFS is called upon to adapt the firefighting and lifesaving tactics in such buildings, strengthening and improving its equipment in order to fulfil its compatibility with the new firefighting needs.
The third goal is the continuous upgrade and renewal of firefighting vehicles and equipment with a programme that was drawn up on the basis of which 12 fire engines will be replaced the first year starting from the year (2022) and then 6 fire engines every year. In addition, during the current year, new breathing apparatus replaced the old ones and intercom systems were received in all Fire Stations, for every fire fighter.
Another goal is the building development programme and erection of new Fire Stations to cover urban areas, rural areas and the Vassilikos Energy Center, adding that within 2022, two new Fire Stations have been completed while 8 more projects are being promoted for implementation starting within 2023. The last goal is the installation and operation of a holistic surveillance system for fire prevention and response purposes.
The vigilance for an immediate and effective response to any type of fire incident or other man-made, technological or natural disaster has always been considered a strategic objective of the highest importance for the Fire Service, Hadjivasileiou concluded.
Deputy Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean, Ambassador John Paul Grech said climate change will force us to adapt and develop new strategies to protect citizens living in the Mediterranean region.
He said the world is now about 1.1C warmer than what it was in the 19th century and the amount of Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere has risen by 50%. If nothing is done, scientists believe that global warming will exceed 4%C in the future, leading to devastating heatwaves, severe droughts, and millions losing their homes to rising sea levels.
Grech further noted that extreme temperature can also increase the risk of wildfires as seen across Europe this summer. France and Germany recorded about seven times more land burnt between Jan and July 2022 compared to the average.
According to the Mediterranean Experts on Climate and environmental Change (MedECC) report, published in November 2020, the Mediterranean is considered a hotspot, particularly sensitive and affected by climate change. It is warming 20% faster than the rest of the world, with only Antarctica possibly warming faster.
With current policies, regional temperatures will increase by 2.2% by 2040, 6.8% by 2100 impacting one third of the region’s populations. Disastrous flash floods are increasing in many European countries, Italy, France, Germany, affecting many coastal areas.
He said transformative changes in fire management practices in Mediterranean countries are necessary for reducing risks and vulnerability and to increase resilience.
Grech said we must capitalise on the dynamics created in the eastern Mediterranean and broaden cooperation. Solidarity in response to and sharing prevention tools and measures; it is no longer but an obligation, he added.
Kobi Wimisberg, Director, Strategic Cooperation and Assistance at the National Emergency Management Agency of Israel (NEMA) in his presentation, said regional cooperation saves lives and a common approach brings people together and it is a must.
The vision, he explained, is to implement the Regional Floods Alert System with earmarked funding from DGECHO as well as an Earthquake Early Warning System. He also talked about a joint field exercise in the region in 2023 (via EU Echo Consortium) and a Joint Regional Coordination centre, something that is still in the plans.
At the same time, he talked about developing common approaches in response and recovery.
To sum up, said Wimisberg, we are all in the same boat, we have no time, now is the time” and called for international cooperation to multiply the effort.
Giving the Greek experience, Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic, Christos Triantopoulos said climate crisis is a game changer, as it has led to more frequent intense natural disasters around the world, and according to the UN 90% of disasters are weather and climate related costing the world economy 520 bn dollars per year.
Greece also faces serious earthquake hazards, he remarked and the government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis has adopted a new strategy based on three pillars in order to adjust and manage the negative impact of climate crisis.
The first pillar, he said, is based on the promotion of green economy and conditions of sustainable growth. The second pillar he said, is about pursuing the conditions for resilience intervention against natural disasters with Greece creating a new modern proactive system of civil protection.
Triantopoulos said it was a major reform requiring new levels of national coordination. The third pillar, is focused on the support of government framework for the communities affected after natural disasters, noting it has two major goals, supporting those affected and undertaking repairs as soon as possible and the results are tangible.
Source: Cyprus News Agency